How do I Rent Houses in the Suburbs Without a Credit Check?

Renting apartments or houses is possible without performing credit checks.

Renting a home to someone requires screening of tenants to help ensure you are getting tenants who do not have a bad rental history, and can afford to pay the rent. A credit check is a screening tool but it is not necessary. There are other and better ways to screen tenants and help give you peace of mind that you are selecting qualified renters.

Instructions

1. Ask the potential tenant to fill out a rental application. The application fields on the form should include: name, current address, current landlord information, current rental rate, how long at address, employer, income, length of employment at current job, names and ages of all people who will live in the home, information on any pets, Social Security number of the renter, date of births for the residents and two or three references.

2. Let the tenants believe you are running a credit check. If you place an ad and the ad states "credit check required" you will weed out many people who have really bad credit or past evictions. The potential tenant will avoid your rental and move to one who may accept him. You are not required to run a credit check on anyone, but you do have the right to run a credit check on any potential tenant.

3. Contact the employer for each applicant. Ask for the HR department and verify the number of years of employment as well as the salary earned. By verifying the income, this can help you determine if the income is high enough to cover your rent.

4. Check with the county's tax assessor office. The names of homeowners are made public. Make sure the address given on the application matches the name of the owner/landlord the applicant lists. People who are trying to use friends to pose as previous landlords will often give the name of the friend, rather than the homeowners' name. If the landlord is a property management company, this does not apply.

5. Call the current landlord. Ask the landlord for the time of residency, if the tenants paid rent on time, if they have maintained the property well and if there have been any issues with the tenants. A positive referral from a landlord is your best reference.

6. Create a lease. You can make your own, download one from the Internet or purchase one from your local office supply store. The lease should include all the rental terms including: length of lease, monthly rent, due date of rent, late fees, where rent is sent, clauses for animals, security deposit and any other terms you wish to add.

7. Sign the lease after the renters sign. Each of you should retain a copy for future reference.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider contacting the last two landlords. This can help avoid a current landlord who will give a positive referral just to get rid of the tenant.

References

• MSN: How to Rent Out Your House